Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has received the fund from Cambodia Charitable Trust New Zealand (CCTNZ) in order to support ongoing work of Healthy Kids Cambodia to promote dental and primary health care to students through the Healthy Kids Project. Throughout the six-year project, CRS works with partners (One-2-One and the specialized service providers – All Ears Cambodia) following Healthy Kids Cambodia Approaches to implement the project and strategies across 14 primary schools located in Takeo and Kampot Provinces.

All the students across the 14 schools in the Healthy Kids Projects receive information on toothbrushing process, handwashing, and healthy snacks/food. In addition, all children go through a health and disability screening, and receiver referrals as needed, including dental treatment and ‘silver diamine fluoride’ for cavities.

In terms of oral health care and treatment, One-2-One has divided three levels of care depending on the needs of the child. For Level 1(L1) – children will be given a toothbrush and paste for daily tooth brushing at school. The project team will check each student’s teeth then administer silver diamine fluoride’ to prevent the growth of cavities.

In Level 2 (L2), the students may receive basic fillings (without drills) and protective coatings on the back teeth called ‘sealants.

In ‘Level 3’, more complex treatment (ie white fillings in front teeth and extractions) is provided for those who have been assessed as needed it .

From June-September 2023, the project team worked in collaboration with school directors, school health teachers of Angchum, Nikrotheaream, Angsiema, and Angmontrey to conduct level 1 and 2 dental screening to provide primary care and identify those who have oral health needs and are provided with referrals. As a result, 550 (269 females) received level 1 dental treatment and 1558 (769 females) received L2 dental treatment.